Full name: Charles F. D’Agostino
Title: Executive Director
Company: Louisiana Business & Technology Center / LSU
Age: 58
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Why do you do what you do?
It is extremely rewarding helping small business people and entrepreneurs reach their dreams. My position is very positive and upbeat. People come to me at LSU, our nationally ranked business incubator, in hopes of attaining their dreams and becoming successful businesses. Our program has led to the fulfillment of many of these dreams.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Taking the incubator from concept to reality. It was just an idea in 1988 when I became involved. I took it from that idea to reality then to the #1 technology incubator in North America (out of 1,000+ incubators) when we were named the National Business Incubation Associations – 2005 Incubator of the Year.
What was your first job?
1972 -Marketing Analyst with Gulf South Research Institute, then 1974 - Director of Louisiana State Science Foundation and NASA Technology Transfer Office Director.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
“If it is important to you, do it. Don’t wait from anyone else?” also – “Always know who signs your check.”
Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?
Good people willing to help. Successful people willing to give back. Easy access to the community if you sincerely try to access it.
If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?
Publisher of the Business Report
What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you've overcome?
Transitioning from the private sector and owning my own businesses to working in the LSU/State system.
If you started over, what would you do differently?
Nothing
What is your prescription for life?
Enjoy the each day and treat people as you want to be treated.
What book are you currently reading?
Blind Side by Michael Lewis
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)
My wife, Nolan Ryan and George Will
Who would play you in a movie?
Robert Redford
What do you do to unwind?
Baseball – look at my 1958 Topps Baseball cards
What is the most expensive purchase you've made for yourself?
New car to hold 4 car seats for grandchildren.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Golf
What's your theme song?
"Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”
What's your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?
Downtown restaurants – D’Agostino’s, Tsunami, etc.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
With Splenda
What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?
Happy Gilmore, Desperate Housewives, the V-Tones
What is your favorite gadget?
BlackBerry
What is something that you can't live without?
Friends
If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?
Traffic
What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?
To successfully capitalize on growth opportunities
What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?
Failure to capitalize on growth opportunities and absorbing and replicating the problems of New Orleans.
Comments
Posted by patwitty on December 3, 2007 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Dagostino is by far one of the finest professionals in economic development throughout Louisiana and the nation. He is a master at networking, matching assets to needs. He is a great asset to what we do at Louisiana Economic Development.
Patrick Witty
Director
Louisiana Economic Development
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